An Omani man travelling from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Muscat was arrested after officials found 22 live wild animals concealed in luggage checked in for the flight.
The seizure reported on 16 September, took place on 8 September 2026, according to Santhanee Phairattanakorn, director of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Customs Inspection Office. Customs officers worked with the airport wildlife checkpoint and other agencies in the operation.
The animals, valued at more than 60,000 baht, were found inside the passenger's checked baggage. They included two monitor lizards, one ball python, five bearded dragons, eight leopard geckos, two meerkats and four sugar gliders.
Tighter airport checks for wildlife trafficking
The case follows a policy directive from Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who instructed the Customs Department to work more closely with law-enforcement agencies to tighten import and export controls and prevent wildlife trading.
Customs Department director-general Phanthong Loykulnant and Nuntitha Sirikup, an adviser on customs control-system development, subsequently ordered stricter searches on all potential wildlife-trafficking routes. Particular attention is being given to animals hidden in baggage carried by departing passengers.
Pictures courtesy of Daily News
Santhanee said the arrest reflected an ongoing trend of attempts to smuggle live wildlife out of Thailand. She warned that such cases could damage the country's reputation as a point of origin or transit route for international wildlife trafficking.
The alleged offences in this case fall under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, the Animal Epidemics Act 2015, the Customs Act 2017 and other applicable laws.
Suvarnabhumi's Passenger Customs Inspection Office said it has continued to increase surveillance and checks of passengers assessed as being at risk of involvement in wildlife smuggling.
Related story
Thailand-wildlife-unit-targets-online-animal-trade
Join the discussion? 
18 September 2026
-
1
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment